Question

Compare and contrast top-down vs. bottom-up processing (for the visual system) and provide an example or two of each in your discussion. What benefits does top-down processing provide? What problems can it produce?

Answer 1

Bottom-up approach is related to processing the information as it comes up in the visual processing system. It refers to the way the image is built from even the smallest of the pieces of information.
For ex. - The manner in which we perceive different pictures which are not meant to change according to contexts.

Top-down approach is more related to cognition and in this approach, the brain tries to fill in the gaps in the contexts with the information that seems relevant. Therefore, in this approach, the meaning of the image can change with the context.
For ex.- If we see a 'B' missing between 'A' and 'B'. Our brain will try to see the image as 'B', even when it may look a bit different.

The most significant advantage is that significantly increases our information processing power and speed as any gaps in the information get actively filled.
One of the problems it can create can be that it can lead to certain biases in the information as the Top-down approach uses previous experience and expectations.

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